You work hard for your money. And even though the song has clear instructions, ain’t nobody treatin’ you right. The only thing better than a true blue collar worker is a day off for said worker…and the collar of that bartender from last night on your bedroom floor this morning. So treat yourself to some merrymaking at these working class digs where the beer is cold and the prices won't make you have to dip into your 401K.
Turkey’s Nest Tavern
94 Bedford Ave. (@ N. 12th St.)
Williamsburg 718.384.9774
To call the T-Nest a dive would be wrong. The sometimes sports bar with little more than a Big Buck Hunter II game for decoration is where working class locals set up shop to down $3.50 Buds often served in Styrofoam, watch the ball game, and spend weekend mornings and weekday afternoons dodging company commitments.
Rosemary’s Greenpoint Tavern
188 Bedford Ave. (N. 6th & N. 7th Sts.)
Williamsburg 718.384.9539
Handmade decorations indicate which holiday is coming up next at Greenpoint Tavern. Right now, the only decoration the blue-collar clientele expect is long stack of cups to fill with $3.50 Buds or $4.50 Becks if you’re celebrating your raise. The crew both behind the bar and sitting at it are tried and true here, and they seem to know each other by name and drink. So you’d better start swallowing—you’ve got a lot of catching up to do.
Flatiron Joe’s
29 W. 21st St. (5th & 6th Aves.)
Flatiron 212.414.3139
The working man loves his Bud. They ring in at just three bucks during happy hour (5pm-10pm) at Flatiron Joe’s. You won't find flashy features or disco balls here, just cheap booze and food. The after work crowd have already taken to Joe’s, so you’ll feel right at home at the bar where messenger bags crowd the floor. Looks like working for the weekend just got a bit easier.
Blarney Rock
137 W. 33rd St. (6th & 7th Aves.)
Midtown 212.947.0825
A haven for construction workers on lunch break and firemen coming off their shift, Blarney Rock welcomes all working class heroes with open spigots. Office husbands flirt with their office wives and those with MSG in their plans meet here before, and usually after, too. This is a real person’s bar, so don’t expect fancy stemware or flavored martinis. And in the real world, cash is the only form of payment expected. Ah, who are you kidding, you don’t have an expense account anyway.
Conker Hill
640 10th Ave. (@ 45th St.)
Hell’s Kitchen 212.757.0900
It’s hard to believe this Hell’s Kitchen newcomer just opened. It’s filled with office mates in the summer Friday uniform of button down shirts, shorts, and sundresses. Actually, they seem to show up even if its not Friday, ready to console each other about their crappy days in the way a true friend should: by buying shots. Their slogan is “who said you can’t go home” and it looks like the crowd here has no intention of ever doing so.
~Fabiana Santana
Photo: Flatiron Joe's (Alecia Reddick/Shecky's Media, Inc.)
